Automatic copying machine



Dec. 16, 1969 o. E. TOBY 3,484,168

AUTOMATIC COPYING MACHINE Filed July 31, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invenfcrn De/LZ LILQ' I m,

Dec. 16, 1969 o. E. TOBY 3,484,168

AUTOMATIC COPYING MACHINE Filed July 31, 196'? Sheets-Sheet 2 J92 x 42 f l 3840 2 5 12 J 176 g 052 e;

Wail L)7f&ijw7wjll Dec. 16, 1969 D. E. TOBY AUTOMATIC COPYING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 31, 1967 Dec. 16, 1969 D. E. TOBY AUTOMATIC COPYING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed July 31, 196'? United States Patent 3,484,168 AUTOMATIC CGPYKNG MACHKNE Dennis E. Toby, Lake Zurich, 11L, assignor to Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Mount Prospect, lll., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 31, 1967, Ser. No. 657,184 Int. Cl. (203i) 27/30 U.S. Cl. 355-106 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A direct contact copy machine includes a transport system driven by a drive motor for moving a superimposed copy sheet and original sheet past an exposure lamp cooled by a blower for exposing the copy sheet in ac cordance with the original. A developer unit subsequently develops the copy sheet through the application of developer liquid. A control circuit places the machine in warmup condition when initially energized in which full power is applied to start the lamp while the blower motor is off. When the lamp is stabilized, the machine is placed in a standby condition in which the lamp operates at reduced brilliance, and the blower and drive motors operate at reduced speeds. When an original is fed to the machine for copying, the machine is automatically placed in an operating condition in which the lam blower and drive motor operate at normal levels. Rollers in the developer unit are automatically disengaged when the machine is turned off.

The present invention relates to automatic copying machines, and more particularly to copy making machines of the direct contact type.

Direct contact copy making machines customarily include a transport system for propelling an original, such as a tracing, and a superimposed photosensitive copy sheet past a light source at an exposure station where the copy sheet is selectively exposed in accordance with the original. The exposed copy sheet is then propelled through a developer unit where a suitable developer material, such as a developer fluid, is applied to the sheet to render the copied image visible.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved automatic copy making machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic copying machine which is economical to operate and which has an increased life.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic copying machine characterized by low noise and low heat output when a copy is not being made.

Another object is to provide an automatic copy machine in which the life of the exposure lamp is increased.

A further object is to provide a copy making machine which is rapidly brought into condition for copy making operation after a period of non-use.

Still another object is to provide a copy making machine in which unnecessary aeration of the developer fluid is avoided.

Another object is to provide a copy making machine in which elements of the developer unit are automatically placed in a disengaged condition when the machine is turned off.

In accordance with these and many other objects and advantages of the invention, one embodiment of the invention comprises a direct contact copying machine including an exposure station provided with a blower-cooled lamp for exposing a copy sheet in accordance with a superimposed original sheet. A developer unit is provided for applying a developer fluid to the exposed copy sheet. In order to propel the original and copy sheet through the machine, there is provided a transport system includ- 3,484,168 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 ing a plurality of diive rollers driven by a drive motor.

In accordance with important features of the present invention, the machine operates under the control of a control circuit in a warm-up condition when initially turned on until the lamp operation is initiated and stabilized, at which time the machine is automatically placed in a standby condition. In the warm-up condition, the lamp is operated at full power and the blower is not 0perated so that the lamp reaches its operational state in a minimum of time. In the standby condition, the lamp is operated at low brilliance, and the blower, drive motor and transport system operate at reduced speeds. As a result, the standby operation is characterized by low power utilization and extended machine life.

When a copy is made, the machine is automatically placed in an operating condition in which the lamp is operated at full brilliance, the blower is operated at full speed and the drive motor and transport system operate at an increased, adjustable speed. A time delay device automatically returns the machine to the standby condition after the copy is made.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, a single main control serves both to control the energization of the machine and also to move elements of the developer unit between operating and disengaged positions. The developer unit includes normally engaged rollers for propelling and applying fluid to an exposed copy sheet. When the main control is moved to the ofi position to deenergize the machine, the rollers of the developer unit are disengaged from one another and moved to a nonoperating position. Conversely, when the machine is turned on the developer rollers are engaged with one another in their operating positions.

Many other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawin gs in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copying apparatus embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with part of the housing broken away, and with the developer unit partly removed from the mach ne;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 and with the apparatus shown in the oif condition;

FIGS. 5a and 5b are enlarged, fragmentary, ectional views along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 illustrating the apparatus in the one and the off conditions respectively; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a circuit for controlling the operation of the copying apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an automatic copying apparatus or machine designated as a whole by the reference numeral 10 and embodying the features of the present invention. The machine 10 includes a housing or supporting structure 12 carried by a support base 14 and is adapted automatically to produce copies of an original tracing by diazo or contact printing methods on copy sheets 16 (FIG. 2). The machine includes an on-off control or handle 18 effective, as appears hereinafter, both to control the energization of the machine and also to adjust the elements of the developing apparatus between operating and nonoperating positions. A speed control 20 is provided for adjusting the speed of operation of the machine and thus the exposure time. The controls 18 and 20 are supported on the housing 12 and are externally accessible to permit manual adjustment.

In its general arrangement (FIG. 2 the machine 10 includes a rotating transparent drum 22 containing a line light source in the form of a lamp 24 to which one of the copy sheets 16 and an original are fed in superimposed relation by a copy sheet feeding assembly indicated generally as 26 and an original feeding assembly indicated generally as 28. The superimposed copy and original sheets are fed past the light source 24 to expose the copy sheet through the cooperation of the rotating drum 22 and a flexible guiding means or assembly, indicated generally as 30, serving to hold the superimposed sheets in engagement with the rotating drum 22 through a portion of the path of the rotation of the drum. After the copy sheet 16 has been exposed, it is separated from the drum 22 and the original at a separation station generally designated as 3 2 and is advanced to a developer unit indicated as a whole as 34 in which it is developed and subsequently discharged into a rack 36 provided adjacent the top of the housing 12.

When it is desired to produce a copy of an original such as a tracing, the tracing is manually fed into the machine over a table or shelf 38 between a pair of adjustable edge guides 40. The original is guided by upper and lower guides 42 and 44 between a pair of drive rollers 46 and 48-. Simultaneously, a copy sheet 16 is advanced between a drive roller 50 and an idler roller 52 in synchronism with the original. The original and the copy sheet are superimposed by a guiding structure 54 and advanced by a guide '56 to the rotating drum 22 and flexible guiding assembly 30.

The flexible guiding assembly 30 includes a plurality of laterally spaced flexible endless belts 58 supported by the transparent drum 22 and by a plurality of rollers 60, 62, 64, 66 and 68. The superimposed original and copy sheet are nipped between the rotating drum 22 and the moving endless belts 58 and rotate with the drum past the light source 24 where the copy sheet is exposed by light passing through transparent or translucent areas of the original.

After exposure of the copy sheet, the superimposed original and copy sheet enter the separating station 32 where they are separated by a pair of vacuum chests 70 and 72, each including a perforated plate respectively adjacent the original and copy sheet. The force provided by the vacuum chest 70 separates the original from the copy sheet and causes it to be moved into engagement with a guide 74 serving to channel the original between a pair of original delivery rollers 76 and 78. The rollers 76 and 78 return the original to a receiving tray 80 disposed at the front of the machine and illustrated only in FIG. 1. The vacuum chest 72 holds the copy sheet in engagement with the endless belts 58 and it is moved by a guide roller 82 and a guide 84 toward a curved guiding structure 86 and a guide plate 88 and into the developer unit 34.

Within the developer unit 34, the exposed copy sheet is passed between an applicator roller 90 and a pressure roller 92 where it is wetted with a developer liquid contained in a tray 94, which liquid is applied to the surface of the applicator roller 90 by means of a fountain roller 96. The original is guided from the developer unit 34 by upper and lower guides 28 and 100, through a pair of copy sheet delivery rollers 102 and 104 and along a guide 106 to the copy receiving tray 36 disposed at the front of the machine.

In order to drive the various driving rollers incorporated in the machine a drive motor 108 (shown only in FIG. 6) is associated with the machine. A drive system (not shown) is coupled between the drive shaft of motor 108 and selected shafts supporting some of the various driving rollers. Accordingly, whenever the drive motor 108 rotates, rotation is imparted to the rollers 46, 48, 50, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 76, 78, 82, 90, 92, 102 and 104. The drive system may be of any suitable type known in the art, and is omitted in part from the drawings for purposes of clarity.

Having reference now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a control circuit designated as a whole by the reference numeral 110 for controlling the operation of the copying machine 10. The circuit 110 is connected to a 220 volt AC supply by a pair of power supply terminals 112 and 114 preferably incorporated in a plug connector along with a ground terminal 116 which may be connected to the machine chassis. The power supply terminals 112 and 114 are adapted to be connected to a pair of 220 volt buses 118 and 120 by a pair of fuses 122 and 124 and a pair of normally open sets of relay contacts 126a and 12612 controlled by the winding of a main relay 126.

Energization of the control circuit 110, which is illustrated in the off condition, is controlled by a main switch 127 connected in series with the winding of the relay 126. Referring to FIG. 4, when it is desired to initiate operation of the machine, the handle 18 is pulled out by the operator. The handle is connected to a shaft 128 and slide bracket 130, these being slidably mounted in a bushing 132 and a guide bracket 134. When the handle 18 is extended, the slide bracket engages a switch operating element 135 to operate the main switch 127 to the closed condition, thereby energizing the winding of relay 126 and supplying power to the buses 118 and 120 through relay contacts 126a and 126i).

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, when the copying machine 10 is turned on after a period of non-use it is placed initially in a warm-up condition in which the operation of the light source 24 is initiated and stabilized prior to any copy making operations. After operation of the light source 24 is stabilized, the machine is automatically placed in a standby condition in which wear and expense are reduced by operation of the machine components at low standby speeds and levels. When it is desired to make a copy, the machine is automatically placed in an operating condition, and after a copy is made, the machine is automatically returned to the standby condition following a time delay period.

The light source 24 comprises a vapor lamp such as the type commonly referred to as a quartz lamp. The lamp 24 thus includes a pair of spaced electrodes in an ionizable gas atmosphere which may include argon and a slight amount of mercury. In operation, the lamp 24 has a high initial resistance during a starting period until ionized gas diffuses along the length of the lamp and an arc is created, at which time the resistance offered by the lamp decreases as the arc becomes stable. In accordance with a feature of the invention the lamp, which of course is unenergized when the machine 10 is off, is initially operated at a high energy level to accomplish rapid starting and to stabilize the lamp operation during the warm-up period. When the lamp operation is stabilized at the end of the warm-up period, the lamp 24 is operated at a lower, standby energy level so that less heat and light is produced and a more economical operation is achieved. When a copy is made, the lamp is returned to full brilliance during the copy operation, and is then returned to the standby condition.

Due to the fact that the lamp 24 produces a substantial amount of heat during operation, the machine 10 is provided with a two speed, alternating current blower motor 136 (shown only in FIG. 6) together with suitable duct work for channeling a stream of cooling air through the region of the lamp. The blower motor 136 may also be used for producing the vacuum within the vacuum chests 70 and 72 at the sheet separating station 32.

In accordance with the invention, the blower motor is maintained in the olf condition during the warm-up period to allow the lamp 24 rapidly to be started and stabilized. In the standby condition, the motor 136 is operated at a low speed to provide sufficient cooling for the lamp which operates at its low brilliance level. During the copy making operation when the lamp operates at full brilliance, the blower motor 136 is operated at full speed to provide maximum cooling.

The drive motor 108 is a direct current motor which in accordance with the invention is operated at an adjustable high speed during the copy making operation for propelling the original and copy sheet through the machine. During the warm-up and standby conditions, however, the drive motor 108 is operated at a low speed, sufiicient to keep the flexible guide belts 58 in motion. This prevents the segments of the belts adjacent the light source 24 from being unduly heated.

More specifically, when the machine is turned on after a period of non-use, power is applied to the power buses 118 and 120 by the closing relay contacts 126a and 126k and the drive motor 108 is energized for low speed operation. A transformer 138 develops a 110 volt AC differential between the power bus 120 and a power bus 138. A full wave diode rectifier bridge 140 is connected between the buses 120 and 138 and developes a DC potential which is supplied to a field winding 108a of the DC drive motor 108. An armature winding 108b is energized with a relatively small DC potential developed by a full wave diode rectifier bridge 141 connected to the bus 120 and to a fixed low voltage tap 142 of a drive motor transformer 144, which is protected by a fuse 146. As a result of the low armature winding excitation, the drive motor 168 is operated at a relatively low speed when the machine is initially turned on.

During the warm-up period when the machine 10 is first energized, the blower motor 130 is not operating and the lamp 24 is connected for operation at full power. More specifically, when the main switch 127 is closed, the winding of a relay 148 is energized to open normally closed relay contacts 148a thereby to disconnect the blower motor 136 from the power bus 120. In addition, a normally open pair of relay contacts 148b are closed to energize the winding of a relay 150. Energization of the relay 150 results in an opening of a normally closed set of relay contacts 150a to prevent energization of an indicator lamp 152. An additional set of normally open relay contacts 15017 is closed to energize a winding of a lamp relay 156. This results in closing of relay contacts 156:: to complete a circuit between the secondary winding of a lamp transformer 158, a capacitor 160 and a parallel-connected capacitor 162 for full power energization of the lamp 24. Enerization of the relay 148 also serves to open a normally closed set of contacts 1480 to remove an original switch 164 from the circuit thereby to prevent energization of the winding of a relay 166 so that a copy cannot be made during the warm-up period.

Closing of the main switch 127 also supplies power to a copy sheet feeding circuit designated as a whole as 168 which is supplied with a DC operating potential from the full wave diode rectifier bridge 140. This circuit includes an electrically operated clutch 170 and an electrically operated brake 172, these being associated with a driving shaft 174 (FIG. 2) upon which a copy sheet feed roller 176 is mounted. A supply of copy sheets 16 is supported in a sheet enclosure designated as a whole as 178, and the copy sheet feed roller 176 rests upon the uppermost sheet. A copy sheet sensing switch 180 is illustrated in FIG. 6 in its normal position. When a copy sheet is advanced from the enclosure 178 by the roller 176 into engagement with a switch operating arm 182, the switch 180 is moved to its alternate position.

Assuming that when the machine is turned on a supply of copy sheets 16 has been placed in the enclosure 178, the clutch 170 is initially energized by the switch 180, and the shaft 174 carrying the roller 176 is rotated to advance a copy sheet 16 between a pair of guides 184 and 186 and into engagement with the switch operating arm 182. When the arm is engaged the copy sheet switch 180 is moved to its alternate position to deenergize the clutch 170 and energize the brake 172. This results in stopping the feed roller 176 to hold the copy sheet in a stationary position with its leading edge held beneath the switch operating arm 182.

In the warm-up condition achieved when the machine is first turned on, the lamp 24 is operated at its maximum level in the manner described above. This allows the lamp operation to be initiated and stabilized to assure continuous operation of the lamp at maximum brilliance. This operation is aided by the fact that the blower motor is not energized during the warm-up period.

In accordance with the present invention, at the end of the warm-up period the machine is automatically placed into a standby condition, ready for the making of a copy. In order to terminate the warm-up period, the winding of the relay 148 is deenergized. This may be accomplished by the use of a time-delay circuit associated with the relay 148, this circuit being illustrated in block form in FIG. 6 and designated as 188. Alternatively, a heat responsive or light responsive circuit may be used to sense the existence of stable illumination from the lamp 24 and to deenergize the relay 148 when the warm-up period has been completed. In apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention a time delay relay was used having a six minute delay period between energization and subsequent deenergization.

In the standby condition, power usage and machine wear are minimized by operating the drive motor and the various elements driven thereby at a reduced rate. The life of developer fluid in the tray 94 is increased because aeration of the fluid is retarded since the rollers 90, 92 and 96 rotate at a slow speed. In addition the life of the lamp is increased and the heat produced is diminished by operating the lamp at a reduced brilliance level when copies are not being made. Also, in the standby condition the blower motor 136 operates at a low speed. In addition to the economic advantages, the machine operates at a low noise level, and a reduced amount of heated air is exhausted from the machine.

More specifically, at the end of the warm-up period the winding of the relay 148 is deenergized, and the blower motor 136 is energized for low speed operation, while the lamp 24 is operated at a reduced brilliance level. Deenergization of the winding of relay 148 results in closing of the normally closed relay contacts 148a to complete a circuit to the blower motor 136 through a normally closed set of relay contacts 190m in series with a low speed winding of the AC blower motor.

In addition, the normally open contacts 148b are returned to their open condition and the winding of relay 150 is deenergized. As a result, contacts 15% are opened and the winding of relay 156 is deenergized. Opening of contacts 156a disconnects the capacitor 162 from the lamp energizing circuit and the lamp 24 operates at a reduced brilliance level.

When the machine 10 is placed in the standby condition, the control circuit is placed in condition for a copy making operation. The contacts 148a return to their normally closed condition to place the original switch 164 in controlling relation to the winding of the relay 166. In addition, the contacts a are closed to energize as indicator lamp 152 through a transformer 191 to provide an indication to the operator that a copy may be made. The lamp 152 is preferably positioned at the front of the machine 10 (FIG. 1).

The machine 10 remains in the standby condition until such time as it is desired to make a copy. In order to make a copy, an original sheet is inserted into the machine between guides 42 and 44 (FIG. 2) until the leading edge of the original engages a switch operating arm 192 of the original switch 164 to move the switch to the closed position. When this occurs, the machine is automatically placed in an operating or copy making condition in which the lamp 24 is returned to its full brilliance condition, the blower motor 136 is operated at a high speed and the drive motor 108 is operated at a selected increased speed.

More specifically, the closing of the original switch 164 results in energization of the winding of the copy making relay 166. Energization of the relay 166 results in closing of a normally open set of contacts 166a to cause energization of the winding of a time delay relay 194. As a result, a set of normally open relay contacts 194a close to energize the relay 190. As a result contacts 190a are opened to disconnect the low speed winding of the blower motor 136, and a normally open set of contacts 19817 are closed to energize a high speed Winding so that the blower motor operates at a high speed for maximum cooling of the lamp 24.

In addition, at the beginning of the copy making operation, energization of the relay 194 results in closing of a normally open set of relay contacts 19412 to energize the winding of lamp relay 156 and reclose contacts 156a. As a result, the lamp 24 is returned to its full brilliance condition.

In order to propel the copy sheet 16 and the original through the machine and past the lamp 24 at a selected rate of speed, the drive motor 108 is operated at an increased level. When the relay 194 is energized, a normally closed set of relay contacts 1940 are opened to disconnect the rectifier bridge 141 from the fixed transformer tap 142. Simultaneously a normally open set of contacts 194d is closed to complete a connection to an adjustable tap 196 of the drive transformer 144. The voltage developed by the rectifier bridge 141 and applied to the armature winding 1081: may be adjusted by the operator through manipulation of the speed control 20 which controls the tap 196.

The machine 10 is accordingly conditioned for making a copy in response to the insertion of the original sheet into the machine. Energization of the copy making relay 166 by closure of the original switch 164 results in opening of a normally closed set of contacts 16Gb and closing of a complementary set of contacts 1660. Opening of contacts 166b serves to deenergize both the copy sheet drive clutch 170 and the brake 172 with the result that the copy sheet drive shaft 176 is in a released or idle condition. The simultaneous closing of contacts 166:: energizes a copy feed solenoid 198 which includes an armature (not shown) attached to pivot the copy sheet idler roller 52 (FIG. 2) against the copy sheet drive roller 50. As a result, the copy sheet which was held with its leading edge engaging the copy sheet switch operating arm 182 is propelled through the guide structure 54 and is superimposed with the original sheet which is simultaneously advanced by the drive rollers 46 and 48.

The copy making operation then proceeds in the manner set forth above as the superimposed copy sheet and original move past the lamp 24, through the separating station 32, and the copy sheet moves through the developer 34.

When the original sheet clears the operating arm 192, the original switch 164 returns to its open position and the winding of relay 166 is deenergized. As a result, the contacts 16611 are reclosed and the contacts 1660 are reopened. When the copy sheet 16 clears the operating arm 182, the copy sheet switch 180 is returned to its original position to energize the copy drive clutch 170 while the copy sheet brake 172 remains deenergized. As a result, the feed roller 176 advances the next upper most copy sheet 16 into the position for the next copy.

Although the relay contacts 166a reopen, the winding of relay 194 remains energized during a time delay period established by a suitable time delay circuit illustrated in block form and designated as 200. During this time delay period the machine remains in its operating or copy making condition. At the end of the time delay period, which in one embodiment of the invention is 90 seconds, the machine is automatically returned to its standby condition described above. Specifically, deenergization of relay 194 results in closing of contacts 1940 to return the drive motor 108 to low speed operation;

opening of contacts 194a to deenergize relay 190 to return the blower motor 136 to low speed operation; and opening of contacts 194b to deenergize relay 156 to return the lamp to the reduced brilliance level. The machine 10 remains in the standby condition until another copy is made, or until the main switch 128 is opened by operation of the handle 18.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, operation of the handle 18 is effective not only to control the energization of the control circuit 110, but also to control the relative positions of elements of the developer unit 34. During the time that the machine 10 is in the on condition, the developer roller is engaged with the pressure roller 92 and the fountain roller 96 as shown in FIG. 2 for applying developer fluid to an exposed copy sheet 16. When the machine is turned off by manipulation of the handle 18, the rollers 90, 92 and 96 are disengaged from one another so that they do not remain in contact during periods of non-rotation when the drive motor 108 is stopped.

More specifically, and proceeding now to a more detailed description of the developer unit 34, the supporting structure or housing of the unit 34 is made up of a left end plate 210 and a right end plate 212 interconnected by a pair of lateral support bars 214 and 216. The developer fiuid containing tray 94 is attached to the end plates 210 and 212 and extends outwardly on either side of the end plates (FIG. 3). The pressure roller 92 and fountain roller 96 are supported on shafts journaled for rotation in the end plates 210 and 212. Suitable drive means such as a gear and chain drive system is used for imparting rotation to the rollers during operation when the drive motor 108 is energized. The guides 88, 98 and 108 associated with the developer unit 34 may conveniently be supported by the end plates 210 and 212.

In order to allow the applicator roll 90 to be moved toward the front of the machine a sufficient distance to disengage it from the pressure roll 92 and the fountain roll 96 when the machine is turned off, the support shaft for the applicator roll is journalled in a pair of slide blocks 218 and 228 slidably mounted in recesses in the end plates 210 and 212 respectively. The slide blocks respectively includes pins 222 and 224 engaged by toggles 226 and 228 pivotaly mounted on the end plates 210 and 212 respectively by pivot pins 230 and 232. The upper ends of the toggles 226 and 228 include outwardly extending pins 234 and 236 received in slots 238 and 240 in a pair of motion transmitting members 242 and 244. The motion transmitting member 244 associated with the end plate 212 is fixed to a shaft 246 journaled in the end plate 212, and also includes a pin 248 received in a slot 250 in the slide bracket 130. The shaft 246 extends transversely across the developer unit 34 and through the end plate 210, and is fixed to the other motion transmitting member 242.

When the operator of the machine moves the handle 18 inwardly to the off position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5b, the motion transmitting members 242 and 244 are simultaneously rotated due to the fact that they are both attached to the shaft 246. Rotation of the motion transmitting members 242 and 244 produces rotation of the two toggles 226 and 228, and this causes the two slide blocks 218 and 220 to move toward the front of the machine. As a result, the applicator roll 90 is moved out of contact with the pressure roll 92 and the fountain roll 96.

Conversely, when the machine is turned on by pulling the handle 18 outwardly, the developer unit 34 is placed in the operative position illustrated in FIG. 5a. More specifically, the slide blocks 218 and 220 are moved toward the rear of the machine by the toggle members 226 and 228 which are rotated by the motion transmitting members 242 and 244.

The developer unit 34 also includes a metering rod 251 operated by a cam 252 for regulating the amount of developer fluid applied to a copy sheet by the applicator roller 90. Reference may be had to a copending application Ser. No. 606,332, filed Dec. 30, 1966 for a complete disclosure of the construction and operation of the metering system.

In order to provide a regulated supply of developer fluid within the tray 94 during operation, there is provided a liquid flow system illustrated in FIG. 4. A supply of developer fluid is introduced from a container 253 to a supply reservoir 254 as needed. A supply conduit 256 extends from the reservoir 254 to a pump 258 which forces the fluid through a conduit 260 and into the tray 94. The pump is continuously operated, when the drive motor is energized, by means of a cam 262 carried by one of the drive shafts in the machine and engageable with a pump operating lever 264.

A constant level of developer fluid within the tray 24 is maintained by an overflow spout 266 which continually discharges fluid into one compartment of a sinklike receptacle 268. This fluid passes through a filter 270 and through a return conduit 272 to the supply reservoir 254. In the event that it is desired to empty the tray 94, a drain valve 274 is opened to discharge fluid into another compartment of the receptacle 268. This fluid is discharged through a drain conduit 276 into a drain bottle 278.

Conveniently, and as appears in FIG. 3, the entire developer unit 34 can be removed from the copy machine In. The developer unit is slidably supported by a pair of track members or angle irons 2 80 and 282 each supporting one of the support bars 214 and 216. Normally the developer unit is held in position by a latch lever 284 (FIGS. 5a and 5b) pivotally mounted at the left side of the machine It If it is desired to remove the developing unit 34 the latch lever is lifted and the unit may be slid out along the tracks 280 and 282.

Whiie the present invention is described in connection with the details of a specific embodiment, various other modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Accordingly it should be understood that details of the described embodiment do not limit the invention except as included in the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a direct contact copying machine for producing a copy of a flexible original on a copy sheet, the combination comprising an exposure station including a source of radiation for exposing the copy sheet in accordance with the original, a developing station for developing an exposed copy sheet, transport means for moving the original and copy sheet in superimposed relation through said exposure station and for moving the exposed copy sheet through said developer station, a control circuit including standby circuit means for operating said radiation source at a low intensity level, switch means responsive to the advance of the original toward said exposure station for increasing the level of intensity of said radiation source, and blower means for cooling said radiation source, means for operating said blower means at a low speed during operation of said standby circuit means, and means for increasing the speed of operation of said blower means during high intensity operation of said radiation source.

2. In a direct contact copying machine for producing a copy of a flexible original on a copy sheet, the combination comprising an exposure station including a source of radiation for exposing the copy sheet in accordance with the original, a developing station for developing an exposed copy sheet, transport means for moving the original and copy sheet in superimposed relation through said exposure station and for moving the exposed copy sheet through said developer station, a control circuit including standby circuit means for operating said radiation source at a low intensity level, switch means responsive to the advance of the original toward said exposure station for increasing the level of intensity of said radiation source, said control circuit including a main switch controlling the energization of said control circuit, and warm-up circuit means for operating said radiation source at the increased intensity level upon operation of said main switch after a period of non-use, and means for disabling said warm-up circuit means to produce operation of said radiation source at the low intensity level after starting and stabilization of said radiation source.

3. The combination of claim 2 including cooling means for circulating a cooling medium past said radiation source, and means for preventing operation of said cooling means during operation of said warm-up circuit means.

4. In a direct contact copying machine for producing a copy of a flexible original on a copy sheet, the combination comprising an exposure station including a source of radiation for exposing the copy sheet in accordance with the original, a developing station for developing an exposed copy sheet, transport means for moving the original and copy sheet in superimposed relation through said exposure station and for moving the exposed copy sheet through said developing station, a control circuit including standby circuit means for operating said radiation source at a low intensity level, and switch means responsive to the advance of the original toward said exposure station for increasing the level of intensity of said radiation source, a drive motor for operating said transport means, a first motor control circuit controlled by said standby circuit means for operating said drive motor at a low speed, and a second motor control circuit responsive to operation of said switch means for increasing the speed of operation of said drive motor when an original approaches said exposure station.

5. The combination of claim 4, timing means for re turning said radiation source to the low intensity level a predetermined time after exposure of the copy sheet, said time being suflicient for passage of the copy sheet through said developer station, and means controlled by said timing means for disabling said second motor control circuit and operating said first motor control circuit at the end of said predetermined time.

6. The combination of claim 4, said second motor control circuit including adjustable means for adjusting the speed of operation of said drive motor.

7. In a direct contact copying machine for exposing a copy sheet in accordance with a flexible original, the combination comprising a light transmitting drum, a light source disposed within said drum, a transport system including movable, endless flexible belt means engageable with said drum for moving the copy sheet and original in superimposed relation over the drum adjacent said light source, means for normally operating said light source at a low intensity level, sensing means for providing a control signal when the copy sheet and original approach said drum, first circuit means responsive to said control signal for operating said light source at a high intensity level while said copy sheet and original move over the drum, a drive motor for said transport system, second circuit means responsive to said control signal for operating said drive motor at a given speed to move said copy sheet and original over the drum, and means for operating said drive motor at a reduced speed when said light source is operated at the low intensity level.

8. The combination of claim 7, a blower for cooling said light source, third circuit means for operating said blower at a high speed in response to said control signal, and means for operating said blower at a low speed when said light source is operated at the low intensity level.

9. Copy making apparatus for making a copy on a copy sheet in accordance with an original comprising an exposure station for exposing the copy sheet in accordance with the original, a developer unit including container means charged with a supply of developer fluid, roller means associated with said developer unit for propelling the exposed copy sheet through the developer unit and for applying developer fluid to the copy sheet, said roller means including at least one roller submerged at least in part in said fluid, drive means for rotating said roller means, circuit means for operating said drive means at a low rate of speed to prevent excess aeration of the fluid by said one roller, and control means for increasing the speed of operation of said drive means when the copy sheet moves through said developer unit.

10. Copy making apparatus for making a copy on a copy sheet in accordance with an original comprising an exposure station for exposing the copy sheet in accordance with the original, a developer unit including container means adapted to be charged with a supply of developer fluid, roller means associated with said developer unit for propelling the exposed copy sheet through the developer unit and for applying developer fluid to the copy sheet, said roller means including first and second rollers normally in engagement with one another, a main control movable between off and on positions to control the operation of the copy making apparatus, and disengaging means coupled between said control and said roller means for disengaging said first and second rollers from one another upon movement of said control to the ofl? position.

11. The copy making apparatus of claim 10, drive means for rotating said roller means, and means for disabling said drive means upon movement of said control to the ofi? position.

12. The copy making apparatus of claim 10, said roller means including a third roller spaced from said first roller and normally engaging said second roller, said disengaging means being efiective to move said second roller out of engagement with said first and third rollers upon movement of said control to the oflf position.

13. A copying machine for producing a copy of an original on a copy sheet, comprising: an imaging station including a source of radiation for exposing the copy sheet in accordance with the original, a developing station for developing an exposed copy sheet, transport means for moving the original and copy sheet through said imaging station and for moving the exposed copy sheet through said developer station, a control circuit including standby circuit means for operating said radiation source at a low intensity level, switch means responsive to the advance of the original and copy sheet toward said imaging station for increasing the level of intensity of said radiation source, and circuit means for returning said radiation source to the low intensity level a predetermined time after exposure of the copy sheet.

14. The machine of claim 13 including blower means for cooling said radiation source, means for operating said blower means at a low speed during operation of said standby circuit means, and means for increasing the speed of operation of said blower means during high intensity operation of said radiation source.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,403,711 7/1946 Egan 355-64 3,215,055 11/1965 Campbell et a1. 355-106 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner RICHARD L. MOSES, Assistant Examiner U.S. (:1. x11. 355-69, 110 

